• ~Prologue~


    What would you do if... when you lost your best friend? No, I'm not talking about the best guy or girlfriend your age; I am speaking of the person who you can tell all your secrets to, all your dreams, hopes and wishes. You talked to him or her just yesterday and then, in a blink of an eye, they're gone for eternity. Well, that's what happened to me, and it's something that changes your life forever.......

    Chapter 1: Birthday


    "I am so excited!" I chanted to all my friends. I'm in sixth grade in a brand new school, and the only thing great about it right now is the fact that my birthday is next week.
    “What’s so special Lissa?” asked April: one of my new friends at this boring school.
    “Seriously! You’re killing me with all the jumping around and not telling us why!” Coral, another friend, complained.
    “Fine, I’ll tell you, though you should already know. My birthday is at the end of the week and a bunch of my family is going to be there!” Well, my immediate family anyways… I amended to myself.
    “That’s great! Hope no one is sick or anything, or else you might catch it!” Coral joked.
    Of course, I thought. Only Coral, my friend for what, six years now, would hit the mark perfectly. I had been so excited about my birthday that I almost forgot about my grandma. She’s been sick for a while now and living with us. Mom and Dad said something about cancer and leukemia, but I didn’t really know what that meant. I figured it was something serious, but Grandma is strong, I know she’ll get through it no problem. Besides, everyone acts so normal at home, I never think anything of it.
    “Yeah,” I laughed humorlessly. “Anyways, what are you guys going to get me, huh?” I said, trying desperately to change the subject.
    It didn’t work.
    “Hey, what’s wrong Lissa? Is everything alright?” they asked together.
    “It’s okay, you just sort of hit a soft spot, that all.”
    “C’mon, who’s sick? What’s the matter?” insisted Coral. She’s a great friend, but always so perceptive and persistent.
    “It’s nothing okay!” I shouted. April and Coral immediately backed off. They know me, and they definitely know when not to press an issue.
    “Sorry.” I didn’t like yelling at them; it made me feel like a real jerk.
    “Don’t worry about it, sorry I pushed.” Coral said. I may have known her longer, but this is why I sort of like April better. Coral is like a sister to me, but more like the loving, annoying, never stops asking you questions type of sister. Still a great friend though.
    “By the way, what are you going to do for your birthday?” April asked, changing the subject.
    “I don’t know. It’s on Friday, so I guess I could go out to eat or something. I’ll probably just stay home and hang out with my family though.” I’m more of a family person anyways.
    “Maybe you could do something with us before the weekend to celebrate?” April hoped, mainly to herself.
    “May--”
    “Oh no!! I’ve got to go you guys, I forgot to turn in Mr. Haight’s essay!!” Coral yelled. She started running in the opposite direction to his classroom.
    April and I started laughing after she took off. Coral was known for forgetting things.
    “Well, at least you can count on her to say something totally random.” April said between giggles.
    “No kidding.” I added, shaking my head at her retreating figure.
    “Anyways, I don’t think I’ll be able to do anything this weekend. We both still have to work on that math assignment. I’m not even close to finishing that thing!” I complained, getting back on topic.
    “That’s too bad. I guess I’ll see you later then!” she said as she went back to class.

    * * *


    Thankfully, seventh period was let out early today so I didn’t have to hurry to my bus. On the other hand, April nearly missed it. She was going on and on about how one day her brother was going to be her undoing. He was still in elementary school and apparently needing babysat this weekend while her mother went out.
    I told her “good luck” on her project as she got off at her stop. She rolled her eyes and said “thanks” in return.
    And that was it. I officially had 3 days until my birthday and absolutely nothing exciting happening between now and then.